ATWDiscipleship

So You're a Dad: Play a Game With Your Family This Weekend

So you’re a dad. Your children are still at home. And the weekend has arrived. How will your weekend be spent?

If your family is like most families, you’ll find it all too easy to coexist without connecting this weekend. Dad will be present, but not engaged. Mom will be under the same roof, but otherwise occupied. The kid(s) will be plugged-in and logged on, but in their own little world. And an entire weekend will pass without any genuine family interaction.

Make no mistake. Dads need downtime and moms need “me” time and kids need kid time; but your family also needs healthy, enjoyable interaction. If it’s been a while, why not make this weekend more meaningful? Dads, why not take the lead and encourage your family to play a game together at some point this weekend?

The latest hit at our house is UNO Tippo, a fresh spin on the classic UNO game that even our four-year-old can play. For older kids, our family loves The Settlers of Catan.

Whatever the game, dads, take the lead this weekend. I guarantee you there are some older fathers who will read this post whose children are no longer at home. Those fathers would give a year’s worth of golf and a month’s worth of salary, if not more, to have the opportunity you enjoy right now. Twenty years from now, you won’t wish that you had spent more time on your iPhone or in front of the television. But you very well may wish that you had one more weekend with your family… like this one.

Moms, if your husband needs a nudge in this direction, do it constructively and enthusiastically. Look to motivate your husband with a positive attitude, not out of shame or guilt. Before you say a word to him, pray to your heavenly Father for wisdom, tact and compassionate clarity. Then, let your husband know how much this kind of family activity would mean to you this weekend. And if need be, forward him a link to this post ;-).

Don’t waste your weekend! Take the time to play a game with your family.

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. (Prov 15:16-17)

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